From the PastorAugust 19, 2018Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Saint of the Month - St. Pius XTuesday of this week will mark the 115th anniversary of the coronation of Pope St. Pius X. Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto was born in 1835 in Riese, Venetia, (northern Italy) to Giovanni Sarto, a municipal messenger and postman, and Margarita Sansone. He was the second of ten children in a poor, yet devout family. His family was so poor that he would walk to school shoes in hand, wearing them only at school as to preserve them for future use.As a boy Giuseppe Sarto walked five miles back and forth to the local elementary school; and after heeding a call to the Priesthood, he travelled to the seminary in Padua. He was ordained a priest by dispensation at the age of twenty-three, and gave of himself tirelessly for 17 years in the pastoral ministry. At the age of 40 he was appointed a canon (cathedral-priest) of Treviso, where his hard work and generous charity made a great mark. In 1884 he was consecrated bishop for the Diocese of Mantua, which was in a low state and marked by many difficulties. Bishop Sarto was so brilliantly successful in correcting the abuses in his diocese, that Pope Leo XIII created him cardinal and appointed him as Patriarch of Venice.Ever mindful of his humble origin, he stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor,” and his motto was “To Restore All Things in Christ.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court and how he was obliged to wear very elaborate and cumbersome State Vesture. “Look how they have dressed me up!” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemane.” If one looks at some of the official formal photographs of the saint in these “royal” papal outfits, replete with ermine cape and the triple tiara, one can clearly see a hint of annoyance on his face. Yet he accepted it nonetheless as all part of the weight of the office of Supreme Pontiff, offering it up to the good God in penance. Such is true humility.Interested in politics especially in the wake of the 19th Century socio-political upheaval which saw the dissolution of the Papal States and the unification of Italy, he encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections (something never conceded but nevertheless practiced). In fact this practice had occurred at the 1903 conclave which had elected him. The Austrian Emperor. Franz Josef, had asked the Cardinal Archbishop of Cracow (then in the Austrian Empire) to carry into the conclave the imperial exclusion of Cardinal Rampolla. In all likelihood, Rampolla would not have been elected anyway. Instead a saint was elected Pope. There has always been great speculation as to why the Emperor did not want Rampolla to be elected. Some historians claim that the Emperor had a personal grudge against Rampolla because as Secretary of State he at first refused Christian burial to the Emperor’s son the Crown Prince Rudolf who had died a suicide at Mayerling in 1887 (Pope Leo XIII personally overruled the Cardinal).In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if government control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand and the French government eventually backed down. Although he was a lion of the Catholic Faith, famously attacking that “synthesis of all heresies” – Modernism – he was never lacking in true charity for anyone. At Mantua, infamous false charges were made against him in print. He refused to take any action; and when the writer went bankrupt, the bishop privately sent him money: “So unfortunate a man needs prayers more than punishment.”While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor Leo XIII had done (Rerum Novarum), he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake and sheltered refugees at his own expense. His love for the little ones of God – especially the sick and the poor – was always evident. He himself taught catechism weekly to the poor children of Rome in the Cortile San Damaso. It is this example that has always animated me in my 37 years as a priest to teach religion to the little ones. If the pope is not too busy to teach the catechism, neither is the pastor of St. Paul the Apostle.Already during his lifetime, almighty God used Pope Pius as an instrument of miracles, and these occurrences are stamped with the perfection of modest simplicity. A man at a public audience pointed to his paralyzed arm, saying, “Cure me, Holy Father!” The pope smiled, stroking the arm gently, “Yes, yes, yes,” he said. And the man was healed. A paralyzed child, 11 years old, at a private audience suddenly and unprompted asked the same thing. “May God grant your wish,” said Pius. She got up and walked. A nun, in an advanced stage of tuberculosis, made the same request. “Yes,” was all the pope replied, laying his hands on her head. That evening the doctor verified her recovery. Some orphans in Argentina telegraphed the Pope begging him to heal their Mother Superior of cancer. Cardinal Merry del Val, the Secretary of State, simply telegraphed back to the orphans, The Holy Father is pleased to grant the petitioned request. The nun was cured immediately.When some of his former parishioners from Bergamo came to visit Rome he received them with great cordiality. In their simplicity and lack of formal diplomatic training they said to the Pope: “Don Beppo,” (Father Joe) as they had always affectionately called him, “we understand that since you have come to Rome you are working many miracles." The saint smiled and replied, "Yes, indeed. You know, things are so expensive here in Rome that one must do a little bit of everything just to get by." He did not deny that miracles were wrought through him, yet he diverted their focus away from himself with the fine sense of humor for which he was also well known.The great papal historian, Baron Ludwig von Pastor wrote fittingly of Pope Pius X: “He was one of those few chosen men whose personality is irresistible. Everyone was moved by his simplicity and his angelic kindness. Yet it was something more that carried him into all hearts: and that “something” is best defined by saying that all who were ever admitted to his presence had a deep conviction of being face to face with a saint. And the more one knows of him the stronger this conviction becomes.”Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered today for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. In the Latin Church prior to 1910, it had been the tradition of many centuries for children to be confirmed at the age of 12 or thereabouts, and to receive First Holy Communion at about 14. What many Catholics believe to be an ancient practice – children’s reception of the Eucharist at seven or eight – is only about 100 years old. The saint said: “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven. There are others: innocence, but that is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; generous endurance of trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be spared of them. The surest, easiest, shortest way is the Eucharist.” And by that, he meant for us to live and emulate our blessed Lord’s Sacrifice that we participate in at Holy Mass.On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, August 4, 1914, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen and did all he could to avert it, but it was the blow that broke his priestly heart and killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died on August 20th – a few weeks after the war began. He was canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII who said this was the greatest act of his papacy.St. Pius X, pray for us!SAVE THE DATES: It is never too early to begin to save the dates especially in parish life. Please remember our Parish Picnic which will be on Saturday Evening September 15th. I am grateful that Mrs. Louise Shannon and Mrs. Adriana Milana will be the co-chairs of the picnic this year and I am grateful to all who help with the picnic. As usual the Saturday evening Mass will be at 4.00PM immediately followed by the picnic. (Please note there will be no 5PM Mass that evening). There will be delicious food, music, and rides for the children. There will be special treats. Please offer to help in the organizing of the picnic. Many hands make light work. Confirmation students are reminded that their time spent in assisting the picnic effort will be counted as time for their service projects.Our Gala Casino Night will be at the Milleridge Inn on Thursday, October 25th. This is always a fun filled event and a major fund raiser for our parish. The theme for this year’s Gala Casino night will be in observance of the 50th anniversary of the construction and dedication of our beautiful Church building (Dedicated May 26, 1968). Many may recall that in 2012 there was a Gala at the Fox Hollow to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish. The parish was established by a Decree of His Excellency Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg dated June 27, 1962 (the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help). That is why in 2012 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the parish’s establishment. However, as is the case in every parish, and as many still with us will remember, the establishment of a parish does not mean one may simply walk into a beautiful Church. Churches must be built by the hard work of parishioners after a new parish has been established. In fact, in 1962 no one, including the Bishop, was aware where the parish Church, priests’ residence and offices would be built. The only thing known was that the parish was named St. Paul the Apostle. That is why the early documents refer to St. Paul the Apostle, Muttontown. Finally, a tract of land was donated by the Froelich family and after six years, the new and noble Church was built. It was dedicated by the same Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg (the first Bishop of Rockville Centre) on May 26, 1968 (the Feast of St. Philip Neri). That is why our Gala Casino Night does not commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish which was in 2012, but rather the 50th anniversary of the building, completion, and dedication of the Church building itself. Please pardon a personal reference. I hope it has become obvious to you after my being here for 5 years that I have always had an intense devotion to Our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I have always had an intense devotion to my favorite saint, St. Philip Neri. How frequently would I pray before his mortal remains in the Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella) in Rome. Immediately upon my arrival here in 2013 I hung in the Daily Mass Chapel a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, and a woodcut image of St. Philip Neri with his relic encased. At the time I was unaware of these two significant dates in our parish’s history. But God did and always does. He knows all things and can neither deceive nor be deceived.

From the PastorNineteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeTwelfth Sunday After Pentecost - August 12, 2018

Dear Parishioners of our Beloved St. Paul:Praised be Jesus Christ and Mary His Most Holy Mother! Once again, may I express my sincere gratitude to all of you for your extraordinary kindness both to St. Paul the Apostle parish and to me. May God reward each and every one of you for your goodness in giving of your time, treasure and talent. I am sure you have noticed the recent improvements to the doors of our noble Church building as well as the beautiful landscaping and tree work. I am very humbled to serve as the pastor of such a wonderful parish. This week we turn our thoughts to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the All-Holy and Immaculate Mother of God, whose Assumption we will celebrate on Wednesday, August 15th. The Assumption is a Holy day of Obligation. The Masses will be celebrated on Tuesday evening at 7.30PM and on Wednesday at 8.00AM and 12.15PM.The Assumption of Our Lady is both the most ancient and the principle Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It celebrates the wondrous mystery that at the end of her earthly life Our Lady was taken Body and Soul into Heaven. Many of our parishioners have visited the tombs of the saints. Here in our beloved country we may visit the tomb of Mother Cabrini in upper Manhattan. We may visit the tomb of St John Neumann at the Church of St. Peter at the corner 5th Street and Gerard Street in Philadelphia; we may visit the tomb of St. Elizabeth Anne Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. But no matter how many times we may circle the globe we will never find the tomb of the Virgin Mary. We, who are believers, know why that is the case. It is because there is no tomb nor has there ever been a place that has claimed to have her body! She was taken body and soul to heaven. There is no tomb.Make every effort to attend Holy Mass and to offer a special gift of love to Our Lady. In many places there is the custom to fast from August 1st until August 15th. This is called Our Lady’s Lent. May God bless you.SAVE THE DATES: It is never too early to begin to save the dates especially in parish life. Please remember our Parish Picnic which will be on Saturday Evening September 15th. I am grateful that Mrs. Louise Shannon and Mrs. Adriana Milana will be the co-chairs of the picnic this year and I am grateful to all who help with the picnic. As usual the Saturday evening Mass will be at 4.00PM immediately followed by the picnic. (Please note there will be no 5PM Mass that evening). There will be delicious food, music, and rides for the children. There will be special treats. Please offer to help in the organizing of the picnic. Many hands make light work. Confirmation students are reminded that their time spent in assisting the picnic effort will be counted as time for their service projects.

Our Gala Casino Night will be at the Milleridge Inn on Thursday, October 25th. This is always a fun filled event and a major fund raiser for our parish. The theme for this year’s Gala Casino night will be in observance of the 50th anniversary of the construction and dedication of our beautiful Church building (Dedicated May 26, 1968). Many may recall that in 2012 there was a Gala at the Fox Hollow to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish. The parish was established by a Decree of His Excellency Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg dated June 27, 1962 (the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help). That is why in 2012 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the parish’s establishment. However, as is the case in every parish, and as many still with us will remember, the establishment of a parish does not mean one may simply walk into a beautiful Church. Churches must be built by the hard work of parishioners after a new parish has been established. In fact, in 1962 no one, including the Bishop, was aware where the parish Church, priests’ residence and offices would be built. The only thing known was that the parish was named St. Paul the Apostle. That is why the early documents refer to St. Paul the Apostle, Muttontown. Finally, a tract of land was donated by the Froelich family and after six years, the new and noble Church was built.

It was dedicated by the same Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg (the first Bishop of Rockville Centre) on May 26, 1968 (the Feast of St. Philip Neri). That is why our Gala Casino Night does not commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish which was in 2012, but rather the 50th anniversary of the building, completion, and dedication of the Church building itself. Please pardon a personal reference. I hope it has become obvious to you after my being here for 5 years that I have always had an intense devotion to Our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I have always had an intense devotion to my favorite saint, St. Philip Neri. How frequently would I pray before his mortal remains in the Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella) in Rome. Immediately upon my arrival here in 2013 I hung in the Daily Mass Chapel a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, and a woodcut image of St. Philip Neri with his relic encased. At the time I was unaware of these two significant dates in our parish’s history. But God did and always does. He knows all things and can neither deceive nor be deceived.

St. Paul the Apostle Preschool: It is that time when all begin to think of the return to school. Here at St. Paul’s we eagerly look forward to the opening of Preschool in September and the return of our little ones. Although they may arrive with tears in their eyes to leave home for the first time, soon there are smiles and laughter as they join in the wonderful spirit of St. Paul’s Pre-School. That beautiful spirit is made possible by our dedicated faculty and staff. Mrs. Gayle Crimarco, our dedicated Director, begins her 18th year at the school this year. She is assisted in every way by Mrs. Debbie Oliva, long time parishioner who has served with dedication and distinction for so many years as Administrative Assistant. Gayle and Debbie are joined by a very dedicated staff who love the children and impart to them the wisdom of mind, body and soul. No wonder why the children sing with such gusto, Why I love St. Paul’s Preschool.

From the PastorAugust 5, 2018Eighteenth Sunday of the Time Throughout the Year-Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Dear Parishioners of Our Beloved St. Paul:

Praised be Jesus Christ, and Mary, His Most Holy Mother! For our meditation of today I would like to consider the life and mission of one of the great Saints and Doctors of the Church, St. Alfonso Maria de Liguori whose Feast was kept last Wednesday, August 1st. It is said of St. Alphonsus that he was the most saintly of Neapolitans, and the most Neapolitan of the saints! Sometimes I will use his Italian name, Alfonso, and sometimes render it in the English usage (which is actually Latin) Alphonsus. A Blessed name day to our parishioners who in this world bear the name Alfonso.

Alphonsus Mary Antony John Cosmas Damian Michael Gaspard de' Liguori (yes, that is his full name!) was born in his father's country house at Marianella near Naples, on Tuesday, 27 September, 1696. He was baptized two days later in the church of Our Lady of the Virgins, in Naples. The family was an old and noble one, though the branch to which the Saint belonged had become somewhat impoverished. Alphonsus, like so many saints, had an excellent father and a saintly mother. Don Joseph de' Liguori was a naval officer and Captain of the Royal Galleys. Though essentially a good man, he did have his faults. He was ambitious and a bit worldly, and could be difficult when opposed, especially in the plans he had for his first-born son. Regardless of these faults, he had a genuine piety and impressed upon his son that he should always put God first in his life. Don Joseph and Alphonsus would make an annual retreat together in the house of some religious community.

Alphonsus was the eldest of seven children and the hope of his house. The boy was bright and quick beyond his years and made great progress in all kinds of learning. His love for music was well known (he was accomplished on the harpsichord). Though exposed to many of the trappings and experiences of aristocratic society of the 18th century (some of which he obstinately opposed), his pure and modest boyhood passed into manhood without reproach. He was given the grace of great purity and self-control, never wanting to, nor committing a mortal sin in his 90+ years of life. One such example of his modesty was that in early manhood he became very fond of the opera, but only that he might listen to the music, for when the curtain went up he took off his glasses, so as not to see the players distinctly, as some of the costumes were a bit risqué, and therefore, an occasion of sin.

His intellectual gifts and academic prowess were displayed at an early age. Alphonsus was not sent to school but was educated by tutors under his father's eye. At the age of sixteen, on 21 January, 1713, he took his degree as Doctor of Laws, even though twenty was the age fixed by the statutes. He said of himself that he was so small at the time as to be almost buried in his doctor's gown and that all the spectators laughed. Soon after this the boy began his studies for the Bar, and at about the age of nineteen practiced his profession in the courts. In the eight years of his career as advocate, years crowded with work, he is said never to have lost a case. Even if there be some exaggeration in this, for it is not in an advocate's power always to be on the winning side, the tradition shows that he was extraordinarily able and successful. In fact, despite his youth, he seems at the age of twenty-seven to have been one of the leaders of the Neapolitan Bar. He was a Doctor of Canon (Church) Law, as well.

While he was a faithful Catholic and never had a taste for nor enjoyed the life of high society and nobility – parties, balls, banquets, and the like to which he was exposed – he was neither on the fast track of sanctity. That would shortly come. To make a long story short, in 1723, there was a lawsuit of considerable weight with a large sum of money involved. Alphonsus made a brilliant opening speech, and was confident of victory. A document of evidence which the future saint had examined many times and used, believing it was of great benefit to his client, actually was used to the benefit of the opposition. He had made a huge blunder and lost the case, and was totally and completely crushed to his core. He felt as if his career was ruined, and left the court almost beside himself, saying: "World, I know you now. Courts, you shall never see me more." For three days he refused all food. Then the storm subsided, and he began to see that his humiliation had been sent to him by God to break down his pride and wean him from the world. He plunged himself into the font of prayer.From this point he was converted – “born again” so to say – to a radical living for the Kingdom of God, and the real work that would satisfy the deepest longings of his soul. He left the world behind, and after a period of formation was ordained a priest at the age of 30. He and his companions labored in and around Naples for the salvation of souls and brought many sinners back to God’s grace through preaching and the sacraments; especially confession. Yet the Lord was calling him to go more deeply into his life’s work.

A vision of Sister Maria Celeste seemed to show what was the will of God. On 3 October, 1731, the eve of the feast of St. Francis, she saw Our Lord with St. Francis on His right hand and a priest on His left. A voice said "This is he whom I have chosen to be head of My Institute, the Prefect General of a new Congregation of men who shall work for My glory." The priest was Alphonsus. Soon after, his dear friend, Fr. Thomas Falcoia made known to Alphonsus his vocation to leave Naples and establish an order of missionaries at Scala, who should work above all for the neglected goatherds of the mountains. A year of trouble and anxiety followed, yet on 9 November 1732, the "Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer", or as it was called for seventeen years, "of the Most Holy Saviour", was begun in a little hospice belonging to the nuns of Scala. To this day, the order is commonly referred to as “The Redemptorists.” The many persecutions and suspicions that were beset upon the order and its members, both from without and from within; and most particularly Alphonsus, were obviously the work of the evil one, who did not want to see the un-catechized and lost sheep of Christ return to the grace of their Divine Shepherd.

In the year 1747, King Charles of Naples wished to make Alphonsus Archbishop of Palermo, and it was only by the most earnest entreaties that he was able to escape. In 1762, there was no escape and he was constrained by formal obedience to the Pope to accept the Bishopric of St. Agatha of the Goths, a very small Neapolitan diocese lying a few miles off the road from Naples to Capua. Here with 30,000 uninstructed people, 400 mostly indifferent and sometimes scandalous secular clergy, and seventeen more or less relaxed religious houses to look after, in a field so overgrown with weeds that they seemed the only crop, he wept and prayed and spent days and nights in unremitting labour for thirteen years. More than once he faced assassination unmoved. In a riot which took place during the terrible famine that fell upon Southern Italy in 1764, he saved the life of the syndic (magistrate) of St. Agatha by offering his own to the mob. He fed the poor, instructed the ignorant, reorganized his seminary, reformed his convents, created a new spirit in his clergy, banished scandalous noblemen and women of evil life with equal impartiality, brought the study of theology and especially of moral theology into honour, and all the time was begging pope after pope to let him resign his office because he believed that he was doing nothing for his diocese! To all his administrative work we must add his continual literary labours, his many hours of daily prayer, his terrible austerities, and the stress of illnesses which made his life a living martyrdom.

Eight times during his long life, without counting his last sickness, the Saint received the sacraments of the dying, but the worst of all his illnesses was a terrible attack of rheumatic fever during his episcopate, an attack which lasted from May, 1768, to June, 1769, and left him paralyzed to the end of his days. It was this which gave St. Alphonsus the bent head which we notice in the later portraits of him. So bent was it in the beginning, that the pressure of his chin produced a dangerous wound in the chest. Although the doctors succeeded in straightening the neck a little, the Saint for the rest of his life had to drink at meals through a tube. He could never have said Mass again had not an Augustinian prior shown him how to support himself on a chair so that with the assistance of an acolyte he could raise the chalice to his lips. But in spite of his infirmities both Clement XIII (1758-69) and Clement XIV (1769-74) obliged Alphonsus to remain at his post. In February, 1775, however, Pius VI was elected Pope, and the following May he permitted the Saint to resign his see.

Alphonsus returned to his little cell at Nocera in July, 1775, to prepare, as he thought, for a speedy and happy death. Twelve years, however, still separated him from his reward, years for the most part not of peace but of greater afflictions than any which had yet befallen him. Through a very complicated turn of events, both religious and political; dealing with sometimes hostile civil powers, the saint was unwittingly induced to sign a document that so “reformed” the rules of the Redemptorist Order, so as to make it unrecognizable. "You have founded the Congregation and you have destroyed it", said one Father to him. The Saint only wept in silence and tried in vain to devise some means by which his Order might be saved. So the Saint was cut off from his own Order by the Pope who was to later declare him "Venerable". It was only after his death, as he had prophesied, that the Neapolitan Government at last recognized the original Rule, and that the Redemptorist Congregation was reunited under one head (1793).Alphonsus had still one final storm to meet, and then the end. About three years before his death he went through a veritable "Night of the Soul". Fearful temptations against every virtue crowded upon him, together with diabolical apparitions and illusions, and terrible scruples and impulses to despair which made life a hell. At last came peace, and on 1 August, 1787, as the midday Angelus was ringing, the Saint passed peacefully to his reward. He had nearly completed his ninety-first year. He was declared "Venerable", 4 May, 1796; was beatified in 1816, and canonized in 1839. In 1871, he was declared a Doctor (Teacher) of the Church. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady was extraordinary. He had a tender charity towards all who were in trouble; he would go to any length to try to save a vocation; he would expose himself to death to prevent sin. (With many excerpts from the Catholic Encyclopedia) He is the patron saint of moral theologians, confessors, and arthritis sufferers… St. Alphonsus, pray for us!

SAVE THE DATES: It is never too early to begin to save the dates especially in parish life. Please remember our Parish Picnic which will be on Saturday Evening September 15th. I am grateful that Mrs. Louise Shannon and Mrs. Adriana Milana will be the co-chairs of the picnic this year and I am grateful to all who help with the picnic. As usual the Saturday evening Mass will be at 4.00PM immediately followed by the picnic. (Please note there will be no 5PM Mass that evening). There will be delicious food, music, and rides for the children. There will be special treats. Please offer to help in the organizing of the picnic. Many hands make light work. Confirmation students are reminded that their time spent in assisting the picnic effort will be counted as time for their service projects.Our Gala Casino Night will be at the Milleridge Inn on Thursday, October 25th. This is always a fun filled event and a major fund raiser for our parish. The theme for this year’s Gala Casino night will be in observance of the 50th anniversary of the construction and dedication of our beautiful Church building (Dedicated May 26, 1968). Many may recall that in 2012 there was a Gala at the Fox Hollow to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish. The parish was established by a Decree of His Excellency Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg dated June 27, 1962 (the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help). That is why in 2012 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the parish’s establishment. However, as is the case in every parish, and as many still with us will remember, the establishment of a parish does not mean one may simply walk into a beautiful Church. Churches must be built by the hard work of parishioners after a new parish has been established. In fact, in 1962 no one, including the Bishop, was aware where the parish Church, priests’ residence and offices would be built. The only thing known was that the parish was named St. Paul the Apostle. That is why the early documents refer to St. Paul the Apostle, Muttontown. Finally, a tract of land was donated by the Froelich family and after six years, the new and noble Church was built. It was dedicated by the same Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg (the first Bishop of Rockville Centre) on May 26, 1968 (the Feast of St. Philip Neri). That is why our Gala Casino Night does not commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish which was in 2012, but rather the 50th anniversary of the building, completion, and dedication of the Church building itself. Please pardon a personal reference. I hope it has become obvious to you after my being here for 5 years that I have always had an intense devotion to Our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I have always had an intense devotion to my favorite saint, St. Philip Neri. How frequently would I pray before his mortal remains in the Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella) in Rome. Immediately upon my arrival here in 2013 I hung in the Daily Mass Chapel a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, and a woodcut image of St. Philip Neri with his relic encased. At the time I was unaware of these two significant dates in our parish’s history. But God did and always does. He knows all things and can neither deceive nor be deceived.

CENTERSTAGE: This year’s Centerstage production of July 26, 27, 28, and 29 was most entertaining, uplifting, and enjoyable. It was entitled the “Best of Centerstage”. It presented many scenes of singing and dance from the 37 years that Centerstage has been part of our parish. How nice to see so many of our young people showing their manifold talents. This year the performances were right here at St. Paul’s, and so there was a great intimacy in the production which is the case when there is a smaller space. Saturday’s performance saw the return of Dinner Theatre to St. Paul’s and was, as one of the musical numbers told us “delicious, delightful and delovely”. May God bless the whole cast of Centerstage.